An introduction...

What to expect when your expecting... I mean, subscribing

Jan 08, 2025

Why I’m Here

Let’s be honest: I’m not some natural storyteller. This Substack isn’t about weaving epic narratives or delivering profound wisdom. It’s a space for sharing bits of my life in small, easy-to-digest posts. Do you love subscribing to newsletters with full intent to read them, only to shove them aside for "later" because you are immediately overwhelmed with how long they are? I mean, damn there are so many words! Well, hopefully, this doesn't become that (reign in the rambling, Trevor) Think of it as a glimpse into the chaotic, and possibly occasionally insightful moments that come with:

Raising three neurodiverse boys and navigating what that means for them (and for me as a likely neurodivergent parent).
Balancing my (possibly / very likely based on the memes) ADHD brain while trying to run a business and keep my kids alive (usually, this is a win).
Observing the absurdities of modern work culture and why doesn’t work.
Questioning everyday bullshit—akin to an old man emailing the local paper’s op-ed section
Trying to reflect on the small things in life that bring joy or alternative viewpoints.

I figure there are others out there like me—busy working parents, not satisfied with the status quo and juggling life’s absurdities. Maybe you’ll find something relatable here or maybe this will just be some quick entertainment to read as you sit on the toilet or try to wake up over your second cup of coffee while also reading emails and dreading that meeting starting in 7 minutes that you don't want to go to because it's first thing Monday morning and you don't really remember why it was scheduled but you are damn sure this is NOT the time for it.

It's fun to pretend I'll post every week, but let's be honest, shit happens and I probably will miss that timeline (pretty regularly). Let's aim for a few times a month? I don't have dreams of retiring based on occasionally posting a short list of my life but hey, if you want to buy me a cup of coffee, I'm not going to turn it down. For now, I don't think I can expect people to actually pay for this.

It's a fun thought to think that this could become a place to connect with others who feel the weight of modern work culture and the reality that it’s unsustainable and soul-crushing.

What to Expect

8 Short Takes in Each Post: Funny moments, reflections on work and family, and things I’ve learned along the way.
- I'm hoping to keep the rambling down for future posts so they aren't so long (DADDY'S SORRY)
Frequency: Aiming for a few times a month. If I miss a post, assume it’s because I'm unclogging the toilet for the 3rd time today because apparently, my kid requires a whole roll of toilet paper to properly wipe, or I'm too busy lounging on a tropical beach giving the finger to the rest of the world (that seems nice).
Community: Let’s build something together—especially for busy parents who are tired of workplaces that seem to find new and unique ways to make their lives more chaotic.

Let's get on with it...

8 Things for My First Bytesized Post

Kids say some silly shit. My wife and I have a shared list in Google Keep where we jot down some of the more entertaining ones. For example, my youngest as I'm tucking him in. "You look like an old man." Me: "What??" Son: "You look like you've died."
It's amazing to look at hustle culture once you're out of it. Like holy hell, do you have a life outside of your job?
I love me a good hike. This is not something I used to even think about doing, but in the last few years, I've really enjoyed getting out on a trail. Seriously, get your ass out in nature.
Communication is hard, and so many people are so bad at it. I'm pretty sure most of the issues on 90 Day Fiance (or one of its seemingly infinite spinoffs) would be solved if they just talked to the person about whatever the hell is going on.
I'm pretty damn lucky to have a wife that pushes me to do the big scary things in life, like leaving my job and starting off on my own.
Coming up with 8 things is harder than I thought, but I really wanted to play with the 'byte' being 8 bits thing.
It's crazy how ubiquitous Apple Watches have become. In my brief stint with a smartwatch (RIP Pebble) I found that I didn't need MORE notifications about stuff that truly isn't urgent in my life. Is there something I'm missing with these watches, or are we just asking for the Matrix to drive the plug that much deeper?
You can apply the same principles of in-person management to remote; it's how you execute them that's different. Had a conversation today where a manager recently hired a remote engineer. However, things are taking longer than expected and they aren't sure what's happening. What would you do if they were in the office with you? Pair program with them? Why aren't you doing that with them remotely then? The technology is there, use it.

Final Thoughts

Ok, I really didn't intend for this to be so long. I promise I'll try to shorten them going forward...

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for sticking with it. If this sounds like your kind of thing—whether it’s relatable chaos, semi-crass humor, insights into my life (don't be a perv), or some light entertainment while trying to pretend the world isn't dying —subscribe and join the ride.

And hey, if you’re curious about my consulting business or how I help build people-first workplaces, check it out here: //TREVORFRY.TECH

✌️Deuces,

Trevor